The Rangers activated infielder Donnie Murphy to fill the spot vacated by Fielder, who played in 42 games for Texas after coming over in an offseason trade for second baseman Ian Kinsler.

Murphy will be available for the Rangers tonight in Detroit.

Fielder didn't travel with the team to Detroit on Wednesday night and met with spine specialist Dr. Drew Dossett in Dallas on Thursday. Season-ending surgery was reportedly recommended after a follow-up exam and another scan.

Fielder, who has never appeared in fewer than 157 games in a season, is signed through 2020 -- the rest of the nine-year deal he signed with the Tigers.

The Rangers have a major league-high 13 players currently on the disabled list.